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Pre-Equinox Spring Fever

1) Signs of Spring
2) You owe your life to grass
3) Cedar Fever up close and personal
4) The last Trout Lily walk of 2010
5) Message in a seed pod

1)The Spring Equinox may be more than two weeks away (March 20) but Spring Fever is breaking out all over. In north Texas we've had an unusually winter-like Winter, but with two sunny days in a row, I've been scouting Tandy Hills Natural Area searching for early signs of Spring.

I've attached some photos taken at THNA the week of March 1, 2010. Under each pic is another view from March 2009 that show the same plants in full bloom. That should whet your appetite for a visit to THNA ASAP.

Creek Plum buds: 3/02/2010 (1/8" diameter)

Creek Plum buds: 3/02/2010

Creek Plum in full bloom: 3/2009

Purple Paintbrush: 3/02/2010 (2" tall)

Purple Paintbrush (in full bloom): 3/2009

Big Root Cymopterus: 3/02/2010 (immature bloom)

Big Root Cymopterus: 3/2009 (mature bloom)

2) Check out this very interesting report by Olivia Judson in the 3/03/2010 edition of the New York Times on the evolution of grasses. It will enhance your appreciation of the Tandy Hills grassland. Among other things, Ms. Judson points out that without grasslands humans may have never evolved. Excellent introduction to a complex subject. Evolution by the Grassroots:

3) Cedar Fever is plague on humanity. If you are allergic to the pollen of Ashe Juniper (Juniperus ashei), commonly called, Mountain Cedar, you know what I mean. Severe allergic reactions are common this time of year when the male trees release pollen from tiny cones. It can take all the fun out of being out of doors for many people.

There is even an organization called People Against Cedars whose goal is, "to provide you with useful information about the Ashe Juniper and its detriment to your health." They trees also shade out plant diversity and for that reason they are being selectively removed from portions of THNA.

Despite all the negatives, the trees do help control erosion and provide wildlife food and habitat. But that's not enough to satisfy those who have Cedar Fever.

While searching for signs of Spring today at THNA, I ran across several Milkweed pods that have recently popped opened. The feathery seeds blow breezily across the Tandy Hills, not unlike the butterflies they help feed.

I'll use this image as a reminder to spread the news far and wide about the 5th annual Prairie Fest on April 24, 2010.

"Wilderness is not a luxury but a necessity of the human spirit, and as vital to our lives as water and good bread. A civilization which destroys what little remains of the wild, the spare, the original, is cutting itself off from its origins and betraying the principle of civilization itself."